Abdominal support



March 1,1927;

C. H. HITTENBERGER ABDOMINAL SUPPORT Filed Jan. 16, 192.6

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I v 7V Patented Mar. 1, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT. OFFICE.

CARL HITTENBERGER, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

BnoMInAL surronr.

Application filed January 16, 1926. Seria1No. 81,698.

My invention relates to improvements in abdominal supporters and thelike wherein a pad is pressed inwardly and upwardly a ainst the abdomento exert an uplifting pressure thereon by means of spring membersarranged to fit around the body of the wearer to apply the requiredpressure and to hold the pad in position.

The primary object of my invention is to provide an improved abdominalsupport.

Another object is to provide an improved support of the characterdescribed which will facilitate the placing and removing of the pad.

A further object is to provide an improved device adapted to obtain anincreased rigidity of structure and to apply a firm and uniformpressure. p

Another object is to provide a device which may be applied or removedwithout distorting the supporting members and with,

out subjecting any portion of said members or the pad to excessivestrain, thereby ob-- taining increased durability and insuring anaccurate fitting throughout the life of the device.

A still further object is to provide an improved construction which maybe economically manufactured and which will increase thecomfort andeffectiveness of the device.

I accomplish these and other objects by means of the improved devicedisclosed in the drawings forming a part of the present specificationwherein like characters of ref erence are used to deslgnate similarparts throu hout said specification and drawings and iii which, 3

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of my improved abdominal support.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the device as shown in Fig. 1 and showing themanner in which the spring supporting members are swung outwardly whenthe pad is to be applied or removed.

3 is an enlarged sectional detail of the pivot mounting by which eachspring is secured upon the pad.

Referring to the drawings the numeral 1 is used to designate in generala pad of the character used in the mechanical treatment of enteroptosis,visceroptosis, intestinal stasis, floating kidney, and the like, the padbeing shaped to meet the requirement of any particular individual andthe treatment pr scribed. The pad consists of a rigid plate 2, the innerside of which is covered by a suitable thickness of padding the plateand padding being covered by asuitable. covering 3 v of leather orothersuitable material.

The pad 1 ispressed inwardly and upwardly against the abdomen of awearer by means of a pair of spring members t each having one endpivotally connected upon the front of the pad 1 and arranged to extendaround the hipsof the wearer'to support and retain the pad in correctposition. The ends of the springin-embers are pivotally mounted uponpivot pins 6 secured substantially parallel to the front of the pad 1between forwardly extending flanges 7 of a channel member 8 secured uponthe front. of said pad. the ends of the spring membersbeing preferablydoubled back and riveted or otherwise secured to form bearing portions9. The pins 6 are positioned near the center of the channel. member 8and the ends of the channel member extended a considerable distancebeyond the pins to engage the edges of the spring members i for apurpose hereinafter more fully explained.

The spring members dare provided with a suitable covering of leather orother suitable material and are shaped to fit around the hips of'thewearer. said membersbeing upwardly offset and shaped in a manner adaptedto exert an upwardly lifting pressure against the pad 1. Thefree ends ofthe spring members are secured in back of the wearer preferably by meansof a buckle 11 secured to one 'ofthe springs and arranged to receive astrap 12 secured to the other.

spring member. WVhen the spring members are secured around the hips ofthe wearer the spring fits closely to the body and exerts a springpressure against the pad without binding the hips. and without causingdiscomfort to the wearer. V

In operation the pad is fitted to the form and requirements of anyparticular patient In applyln ma'tically moving into correct positionwith bers t are moved to normal position extending around the hips ofthe wearer the ends V of the members adjacent the pivot mountitsingsmove between the outwardly extending flanges 7 of the channel member8, said flanges operating to rigidly brace the springs and to preventany vertical movement of the spring ends relative to the pad. This is animportant feature of my present invention as in this manner-an extremelyrigid structure is obtained thereby insuring the uniform and continuedapplication of the desired pressure against the pad. At the same time,the pivotal mounting whereby the spring members may be swung outward- 1ypermits the device to be easily and quick- 1y applied without imposingany undue strain upon the ends of the members 4 and their mountings andwithout causing the spring members to be distorted. This feature is alsoof'particular importance as it permits a more accurate fitting andincreases the durability of the device.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred construction of myinvention, the

device'is of course subject to modification in the specific details-ofconstruction and I desire to avail myself of all such modificationswhich may fall Within the scope of the appended claims. 7

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patentis, p

1. An abdominal support comprising a pad; a pair of springs pivotallymounted uponaxis parallel to the front of the pad and adapted to extendaround the hips of a wearer to hold the pad in supporting relation tothe abdomen, said springs being arranged to be swung outwardly from thefront of the pad whereby the support maybe applied or removed withoutdistorting the springs or pad; and means for preventing vertical strainupon the pivot mountings of the springs and to hold the ends of thespring in rigid engagement with the pad.

3. An abdominal support comprising a pad; a channel member secured inoutward- 1y facing position upon the front of the pad; and a pair ofsprings plvotally mounted between the flanges of the channel, memher andadapted to extend'around the hips of a wearer to hold the pad insupporting re 4. An abdominal support comprising a pad; a channel membersecured in outward- 1y facing position upon the front of the pad; a pairof pivot pins mounted between the flanges of the channel member adjacentthe center thereof and substantially parallel to the front of the pad;and a pair of springs mounted upon the pivot pins and adapted to extendaround the hips of a wearer to hold the pad in supporting relation tothe abdomen, the portions of said springs adjacent the channel memberbeing received between the flanges thereof to brace the ends of thesprings and prevent vertical movement of the springs relative .to thepad.

5. An abdominal support comprising a pad; a channelmember securedinoutward- ,ly facing position upon the front of the pad; a pair ofpivot pins mounted between the flanges of the channel member adjacentthe center thereof and substantially parallel to the front of the pad;and a pair of members mounted upon the pivot pins and adapted to extendaround the hips of awearer to hold the ad in supporting relation to theabdomen, the portions of said springs adjacent the channel member beingreceived between the flanges thereof to brace the ends of the springsand prevent vertical movement of the springs relative to the pad; andmeans for securing the free ends of the springs in back of the wearer.

In witness whereof I hereunto set my sig nature.

CARL H. HITTENBERGER.

